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It’s been four years since Dixie Chicks lead vocalist Natalie Maines criticized President Bush, but apparently those Southern gals can still make Republicans mad.

At a hearing Tuesday to examine the performance royalty system that allows broadcast radio to air songs without compensating the singers, Florida Republican Rep. Ric Keller said he objects to paying increased rates for political advertising on his local station “to make sure the Dixie Chicks have higher profits.”

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, who was leading the hearing, tried to tame his GOP counterpart’s fears.

“If it’s any consolation, Mr. Keller, it’s my guess that the radio stations you will be advertising on are probably boycotting the Dixie Chicks,” Berman said.

“I hope so,” Keller replied, though his words were largely drowned out by laughter.

Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards brings his campaign to the San Fernando Valley today _ at least the part where he hopes to boost his fundraising effort in the state.
Coby King, long-time Valley Democratic Party activist, is one of the co-hosts of the event at his West Hills home, with buy-ins starting at $500 and then going up to $1,000 to take part in the VIP reception. Donors are limited to a maximum of $4,600 for the primary and general elections.

In a note to potential supporters, King wrote: “I cannot stress to you how important it is that we do everything we can to make sure John is our nominee.”

Edwards has been trailing in his California effort behind Sens.Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama _ who have most of their time courting Hollywood money.

Ensign Eric Garcetti is off these next two weeks as part of his Naval reserve duty,
Garcetti, who in his other life is president of the Los Angeles City Council, is scheduled to be promoted this week to lieutenant, junior grade, as he completes his training in intelligence work.
Last year, Garcetti did his annual two-week summer stint in Pensacola, FL., and this year is assigned to Dam Neck, VA., at the Oceana Naval Air Station.

Suspicious that new residential and commercial projects in Los Angeles are creating more traffic than developers and city staffers had predicted, Councilwoman Wendy Greuel wants the city to set new traffic calculations that will generate more money to help fix congestion. Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.

Now, the Department of Transportation uses national averages to estimate traffic from proposed projects. Then, developers must make improvements themselves, adding traffic signals and turn lanes, or cut a check to cover the cost of mitigation, including public transit or freeway ramps.

But in car-crazy L.A., new supermarkets, big-box stores and high-rise condo projects could create more vehicle trips than similar projects in Miami or Phoenix, Greuel said.

Steve Bruck eyed the car-maiming, jagged scar down the alley’s middle, wiped his brow, and went to work.

His yellow Unibelt Asphalt Patcher had a steaming 5-ton load to wage war on the potholes that marred this quiet strip off Ranchito Avenue. Henry Magdaleno stood next to him, sweating under his hard hat. One pulled a lever, and the truck belched forth a steady stream of 250-degree asphalt into the cracked mess of the 40-year-old street. Brent Hopkins in the Daily News.

In half an hour, the crew’s asphalt Whacker had smoothed the 3-foot-by-25-foot series of craters like a Zamboni on ice. The crew raked it like a Zen garden and then pounded it flat and even.

“Henry and I take pride in this,” Bruck said. “If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it right. Sometimes, we’ll drive by a big patch and say, `Hey, I did that one.’ It just makes you feel good.”